Minister of Transport Dr Jubarah Al-Suraiseri has confirmed progress in the project for a north-south railway line, connecting the mining areas with the Arabian Gulf port of Jubail by extending the existing Riyadh-Dammam line. Speaking on the sidelines of the 26th Saudi International Motor Show at the Jeddah International Exhibition Center yesterday, he said tenders have already been issued.

Two other rail projects are currently in the planning stage, one linking Jeddah with the existing Riyadh-Dammam line and the other linking Jeddah with Madinah via Makkah, and including an extension to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The projects are being established with private sector support.